Letters to the editor for Friday, May 3, 2013

In a recent letter to the editor (April 30) titled "Why wealth redistribution," the writer stated "why should my 'wealth' (sic) be 'redistributed' to those who had nothing to do with my success?"

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recordonline.com

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Posted May. 3, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Posted May. 3, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

In a recent letter to the editor (April 30) titled "Why wealth redistribution," the writer stated "why should my 'wealth' (sic) be 'redistributed' to those who had nothing to do with my success?"

I thought this an interesting proposition. Did those who have acquired wealth as a result of their exalted positions in companies do so totally on their own? Or is some credit due to those on the lower rungs who produced the means to that wealth either by their labors, and/or providing quality services to the company's consumers?

Are those CEOs whose companies contributed to the economic morass this country recently experienced deserving of their million-dollar bonuses? Certainly if the CEO of a successful company can sincerely claim that the company's success is solely because of his or her labors, then I would agree that he or she deserves every penny earned.

However, this is rarely (if ever) the case; success is a joint effort, and therefore all should share in the rewards.

Joel Simon

Walden

Earth Day has come and gone, and once again I am exasperated.

Drive around the valley and see the evidence of the love of our land. The food and drink containers, the cigarette detritus, signs that are no longer relevant, tires and most disturbingly mounds of dirty diapers nestled amongst beer bottles. On top of the used diapers, a child's artwork. They are parents that I would not want.

I wanted to say that these are horrible, selfish criminals. I wanted them to feel shame and remorse. I then realized that the things that I did not see were books or newspapers. Enough said.

Carole D. Cackowski

Newburgh

There is a local law known as the "Sullivan County Ethics Law." In regard to passage of the law, the message is clear that we are committed to ensuring public trust in government by the people we serve.

However, make no mistake, by passage of this Ethics Law, we are not attempting to discourage anyone from serving on county boards for the betterment of the residents of Sullivan County. What we are saying is there is a new direction in the way of conducting business in county government, and the message we are sending out is that we welcome and encourage participation in county government.

All are welcome to serve as a businessperson, accountant, attorney, etc., as long as said business receives no personal or financial gain. Will one serving need to examine the motive for serving? Yes. Will one serving need to ensure he receives no financial gain? Yes.

The message is clear. By increasing accountability and closing loopholes, we are working to ensure public trust and confidence in government.